Inquiry report says strengthen chopper safety

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — An inquiry report into offshore helicopter safety says a proposed independent regulator should have “all-encompassing” oversight of helicopter safety.

Commissioner Robert Wells recommends in his report released today that the safety regulator should be able to take any action it considers necessary to prevent the risk of injury or death.

His report is the second stemming from an inquiry that was launched after Cougar Flight 491 crashed off Newfoundland’s shores on March 12, 2009, killing 17 of 18 people on board.

His first report, released in November, called for the establishment of an offshore safety body or an autonomous division within the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

Critics have accused the board of a conflict of interest because it is tasked with developing the province’s offshore resources to the maximum extent while also protecting workers and the environment.

Wells, a retired judge with the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, was asked to assess whether helicopter travel is as safe as possible to offshore oil sites more than 300 kilometres east of St. John’s.